Author Archives: gsumner3rd

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Constitutional Speech Contest

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“A constitutional speech contest”

The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The program has featured numerous politicians and prominent contestants over the years, including former president candidate Alan Keyes and CNN anchor Lou Dobbs

http://www.legion.org/oratorical/contests

For more information or questions please contact  The Legion,  Telephone Number is 1-800-534-4667 and they will be able to put individuals in contact with Legion Contest chairs

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Sociology Standards and Pacing

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Are you teaching a SOCIOLOGY class this year but you do not have Standards, pacing guide nor resources to help guide your work?  The links here are culled from what other school systems are doing with this course.  Take a look at this selection and feel free to utilize these resources to guide your instruction and course development.

If you need addition resources or have other ideas please contact me gsumner@access.k12.wv.us

Sociology standards

Introduction to Sociology

SociologyGEORGIA

SOCIOLOGY _Elective_ 142

NCSS SS Standards

National Standards

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies: Executive Summary

 

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State Dept Youth Exchange Scholarships

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U.S. Department of State Youth Exchange Scholarships for U.S. High School Students

The U.S. Department of State announces scholarships for American high school students to study abroad:

The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) offers merit-based scholarships to U. S. high-school aged students for overseas study of seven critical foreign languages:  Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian and Turkish.  The NSLI-Y program is designed to immerse participants in the cultural life of the host country, giving them invaluable formal and informal language practice and sparking a lifetime interest in foreign languages and cultures.  Applications for summer 2013 and academic year 2013-2014 programs are due November 1, 2012.  Visitwww.nsliforyouth.org for more information.

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad Program offers scholarships to American high school students to spend the 2013-14 academic year in countries that may include Bosnia & Herzegovina, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mali (semester), Morocco, Oman, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, and Turkey. This post 9/11 program focuses on increasing understanding between people in the U.S. and countries with significant Muslim populations. The application deadline is January 10, 2013. Visit the YES Program’s website for more information.

 The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) was established in 1983 to celebrate German-American friendship based on common values of democracy.  Secondary school students live with host families, attend local schools, and participate in community life in Germany.  Young professionals (undergraduates) and high school graduates of vocational studies ages 18-24 study and participate in practical training. Scholarships are now available for academic year 2013-14; application deadlines vary by U.S. region and range from September 2012 to January 2013.  For more information and application deadlines, visit the organization in charge of recruitment for your state at USAGermanyScholarship.org.

The American Youth Leadership Program offers opportunities for American high students and educators to travel abroad on a three- to four-week-long exchange program to gain first-hand knowledge of foreign cultures and to collaborate on solving global issues.   Several different organizations implement this program, and each has organized an academic and experiential educational exchange focused on dialogue and debate, leadership development, and community service. Recruitment areas and application deadlines vary, so please check the American Youth Leadership Program website for more information.

The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) offers merit-based scholarships to U. S. high-school aged students for overseas study of seven critical foreign languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian and Turkish. The NSLI-Y program is designed to immerse participants in the cultural life of the host country, giving them invaluable formal and informal language practice and sparking a lifetime interest in foreign languages and cultures. Applications for summer 2013 and academic year 2013-2014 programs are due November 1, 2012. Visit www.nsliforyouth.org for more information.

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad Program offers scholarships to American high school students to spend the 2013-14 academic year in countries that may include Bosnia & Herzegovina, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mali (semester), Morocco, Oman, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, and Turkey. This post 9/11 program focuses on increasing understanding between people in the U.S. and countries with significant Muslim populations. The application deadline is January 10, 2013. Visit the YES Program’s website for more information.

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) was established in 1983 to celebrate German-American friendship based on common values of democracy. Secondary school students live with host families, attend local schools, and participate in community life in Germany. Young professionals (undergraduates) and high school graduates of vocational studies ages 18-24 study and participate in practical training. Scholarships are now available for academic year 2013-14; application deadlines vary by U.S. region and range from September 2012 to January 2013. For more information and application deadlines, visit the organization in charge of recruitment for your state at USAGermanyScholarship.org.

The American Youth Leadership Program offers opportunities for American high students and educators to travel abroad on a three- to four-week-long exchange program to gain first-hand knowledge of foreign cultures and to collaborate on solving global issues. Several different organizations implement this program, and each has organized an academic and experiential educational exchange focused on dialogue and debate, leadership development, and community service. Recruitment areas and application deadlines vary, so please check the American Youth Leadership Program website for more information.

Thanks to Joey Wiseman, WVDE social studies coordinator 

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iCivics

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Civics teachers!  Here is a good resource for you to use to move civics learning in your classroom. This is a web-based education project with interactive games and activities to engage your students in learning about our nation. (Thanks to Mr. W from VHS!)  

http://www.icivics.org

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iCivics, inc. (formerly Our Courts) is a 501 non-profit organization that promotes civics education and encourages students to become active citizens. iCivics was founded by retired Supreme Court of the United States Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. O’Connor started the web-based education project because she was concerned that students’ failing grades on civics examinations were due to inadequate information and tools required for civic participation, and that civics teachers needed better materials and support.

iCivics is a web-based education project that offers an array of free interactive games and activities for students.[

Significance

After leaving the bench in 2006, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor grew concerned with the frequency and character of verbal attacks directed at the courts. O’Connor reasoned these attacks stemmed from a “fundamental misunderstanding of the role of the judicial branch of government.”  To educate students, Justice O’Connor suggests tapping into the 40 hours a week teenagers spend online by promoting videogames to teach the fundamentals of civics and active engagement  Since the launch in 2009, iCivics’ games have been played over 2 million times. 

History

In March 2009, iCivics, inc. grew out of the Our Courts project, a joint venture of Georgetown University Law School and Arizona State University.  In August 2009, Our Courts added Supreme Decision and Do I Have A Right? to the website. Our Courts became iCivics in May 2010. A more comprehensive website was launched, supplementing the gaming modules with classroom lessons on the branches of government. iCivics creates free lesson plans, videogames, and interactive activities for middle and high school students and educators.

iCivics incorporates interactive activities like opinion polls and web quests, and tries to “empower students with knowledge of their government.”

The website has different access points for teachers and students.

Above The Law sponsored a Do I Have A Right? challenge in 2010. 

There are 16 civics games available online. Filament Games is the primary developer of the educational games.

Media

In March 2009, Justice O’Connor went on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and promoted civics through Our Courts.   Justice O’Connor was the keynote speaker at Games for Change in 2010, and iCivics was featured at the Games for Change conference in New York in 2011. The Washington Post Editorial Board highlighted the shortcomings of civics, and the efforts of iCivics. Newsweek featured Justice O’Connor and the iCivics initiative on Independence Day, 2011. 

Content

Fourteen different computer games have been launched by iCivics.

Do I Have a Right?

In Do I Have A Right?, the player controls firm of lawyers who specialize in constitutional law.  The player must decide whether potential clients have a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and if so, match them with the right lawyer. The more clients served, the faster the law firm grows.

Argument Wars

Argument Wars is a simulation of a courtroom argument. Players test their persuasive abilities by arguing real Supreme Court cases, and must convince a judge that the law is on their side.

Supreme Decision

In Supreme Decision, the player is a Supreme Court law clerk to a fictional Justice who grabs you on her way to an oral argument in a case involving a student’s right to wear a banned band t-shirt. The Court is split 4-4. The game divides the First Amendment case into four issues that are explained through the other eight Justices’ conversations. The player puts together the legal analysis needed to decide the case.

Descriptive information on iCivics above is from the WIKIPEDIA

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SS Instructional Tool Kit

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Next Generation Social Studies

As we start the new school year, we have new Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives for Social Studies to implement this year.  To clear up any confusion about the Next Generations Social Studies Standards and Objectives in West Virginia:  They were approved by the State Board of Education in February.  They became effective on July 1, 2012.  There will not be a roll out as there as been for ELA and Math.  The Next Generation Social Studies Standards and Objectives are in effect in grade K-12 during the 2012-2013 school year.  They can be found on the Policy Page of the WVDE website, and also be found on Teach21 under the interactive Next Generation Standards and Objectives along with the new ELA and Math.
 
    Kindergarten (page 10)
    1st grade  (page 15)
    2nd grade  (page 20)
    3rd grade  (page 25)
    4th grade  (page 32)
    5th grade  (page 38)


Below you will find answers to questions that you might have:

  • The current classroom materials were adopted before the current 21st Century Standards were in place, so they were not aligned totally to begin with. New instructional materials for Social Studies will be in the classrooms in the Fall of 2013.

  • A staff member from the WVDE Assessment office was actually at the table as the objectives were being written. A realignment of Westest2 is underway as we speak and it looks as though we are still in alignment with the Next Generation Standards. There will not be a new test created and no new questions will be added. As we keep in mind that there are little to no stand alone content questions on the test, the implementation of the new Literacy standards should help increase scores on the test. We have to prepare our students by letting them know that their skills as a historian, geographer, economist, and etc. will be assessed not independent bits of knowledge.

  • The textbook is a resource, however the world is full of primary source documents, interactive maps, guest speakers, online resources and an entire array of materials that Social Studies teachers are able to use in their classrooms, let the standards and objectives guide your teaching not the textbook.

  • The Electronic Resource Packages on Teach21 are realigned to the new objectives. They have been moved from the main page to the instructional plans tab under curriculum. During the 2012-2013 school year other resources on Teach21 will be aligned to the new standards and objectives.

  • The new History Clusters will help teachers in grades K-11 guide instruction.

  • Elementary teachers should be aware that the K-4 WV objectives have been embedded into grade specific K-5 history standards.

  • The History component of Social Studies should be taught as a story if we want students to retain the information. The other areas of Social Studies; Civics, Geography, Economics, and Literacy should be embedded within the story when possible and made meaningful to the students. Skills from all the areas will still need to be addressed and taught but make it meaningful for the students and make sure they understand why it is important for them to know this information.

  • You may find some helpful deisolating objective forms under the professional development tab on this page. These are not required and are not meant to be a curriculumn map, only a tool for individual teacher use as you plan your school year.

  • Common State Standards (common core) for Social studies are still in the development stages. If and when they are presented and complete they are only the standards. Each state will still have to develop their own objectives (which we have already done) and decide at what grade levels specific content will be addressed.

  • The SASS institute this summer trained individuals who are able to deliver professional development on the Next Generation Social Studies Standards and Objectives at the local and RESA levels.

  • The teachers who attended the SASS institute were given a list of resources for Social Studies.

  • Thinkfinity Resources have been aligned to the Next Generation Social Studies Standards and Objectives.
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National History Day

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Do you have questions about the 2013 National History Day theme? 

On Wednesday, September 26, 2012 from 3:00-5:00pm ET, NHD held an online discussion about this year’s theme where staff members will address questions from teachers, students and parents.

 To send us questions Please make sure you have “NHD THEME DISCUSSION” in your email subject line and  use the  info@nhd.org email address.

For Information go to www.nhd.org. where all questions and their answers will be posted on the discussion page on the NHD website as quickly as possible in the order received.

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“My Election Polls”

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The My Voice National Student Mock Election has launched My Election Polls [http://www.nationalmockelection.org/polls/]. Your students can sound off on issues of national importance leading up to the federal and state elections.

Examples topics include: Defining Success and Bullying. New polls will be posted twice a week, so be sure to check back.

www.nationalmockelection.org.

Meet My Voice National Student Mock Election Partner – Rand McNally

Rand McNally’s Play the Election helps students understand the election process through a collaborative, digital teaching tool. Students will predict the election winners for each state on an interactive election map, and compare predictions from their class to other classrooms across the country. To learn more about this and the other election offerings from Rand McNally, visit our curriculum page: www.nationalmockelection.org/curriculum

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WV Student Essay Contest

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Wonderful West Virginia News

Student Essay Contest

Seeking Inspirational West Virginians …

In celebration of West Virginia’s 150th birthday, the staff of Wonderful West Virginia is pleased to announce an essay contest for West Virginia students in grades 6 through 12. Two winning essays, one by a middle school student and one by a high school student, will be selected by magazine staff.  The winners will each receive $500, and the winning essays will be published in the May 2013 issue of Wonderful West Virginia.

Rules:

Students attending any West Virginia school, and those who are home schooled in the state, are eligible. Students wishing to participate in the contest should submit an essay of no more than 500 words addressing the following:

“Name a West Virginian, living or deceased, well known or not, who inspires you and state why. How has this person’s example impacted your choices and actions? Or, how might it impact them in the future?”

Essays will be judged on content, originality, and writing proficiency. Essays should be typed and double spaced. Students should include their name, school, grade, and e-mail address or telephone number.

Essays may be sent via e-mail as a Microsoft Word attachment to wonderfulwvessay@wv.gov or in hard copy to Wonderful West Virginia Student Essay Contest, c/o WVDNR, 324 Fourth Avenue, South Charleston, WV 25304.

Essays must be received via e-mail or postmarked no later than December 31, 2012.

Joey Wiseman, WVDE

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Ideal 21st Century classroom

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This video is only 3 minutes long.  I urge you to watch it twice.

1st viewing – just watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYMd-7Ng9Y8

 

2nd viewing

Watch it again from the beginning and take note of a few items:

  1. The students have clear task – build a bridge.  They know exactly what is expected.
  2. The students are fully aware of their progress.  No need to ask the teacher what their grade is.  They see it all the time.
  3. The students are using technology but it isn’t about the tech.  It is about  THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
  4. There is parent involvement.
  5. There is involvement from experts outside the classroom.
  6. The teacher is in full control and can see the progress of every student, instantly.
  7. The students are engaged in a project that actually applies to the real world.  It is APPLICABLE.
  8. Several classrooms were connected together.
  9. Assessment was continuous, without ever having a standard paper based, fill in the blank test.
  10. This project involved math, science, social studies, technology, collaboration, problem solving, problem based learning and student engagement ALL AT THE SAME TIME!  (As opposed to doing 50 math problems on a worksheet.)

Here’s the thing, while the exact technology doesn’t exist in our classrooms yet, the concept is absolutely doable TODAY!  Most of the concepts and similar technologies in the video are available readily in our classrooms and yet the remain largely unused.

We have people all over the state that are trained to bring these ideas to life.  You just have to be willing to try.

Please share this message.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mark Moore

Office of Instructional Technology